Vinyl pressings
by Crosby & Nash · 1977
Live was first pressed on vinyl in 1977. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
24 pressings came out in 1977, the album's first year, in 15 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
2344 085 S1 320 AB 1ARunout side A, variant 1
2344 085 S2 320 AA 1ARunout side B, variant 1
2344 085 S1 320 N 1Runout side A, variant 2
2344 085 S2 320 K 1Runout side B, variant 2
2310 565ASide 1 (etched)
2310 565BSide 2 (etched)
1S AA-1042-A ⑥ > SXT E3Side A runout, variant 1
1S AA-1042-B ⑤ > A3 SXTSide B runout, variant 1
AAB̷-1042-A ① > B1 SXT 1SSide A runout, variant 2
AAB̷-1042-B ⑤ > B1 SXT 1SSide B runout, variant 2
2310565 A//1 P 11 3Runout side A
2310565 B//1 P 11 3Runout side B
2310-565 ALabel side A
2310-565 BLabel side B
2310565 A//1 PRunout side A
2310565 B//1 PRunout side B
AA-1042-ASide A label
AA-1042-BSide B label
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Argentina | Polydor 2344 085First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Australia | Polydor 2310 565First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Canada | ABC Records 9022-1042First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | France | Polydor 2310 565First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Germany | Polydor 2344 085First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Germany | Polydor 2310 565First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Italy | Polydor 2310 565First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1127First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Japan | Polydor MPF 1127First yearLP, Album, Promo · Promo | LP, Album, Promo · Promo |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Polydor 2310 565First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Polydor 2310 565First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | Netherlands | Polydor 2310 565First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| 1977 | New Zealand | Polydor 2310 565First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Portugal | Polydor 2310 565 / Polydor 2 310 565First yearLP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| 1977 | Scandinavia | Polydor 2310 565First yearLP, Album | LP, Album |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Singapore, Malaysia & Hong Kong | Polydor 2310 565LP, Album | LP, Album |
| ? | US | ABC Records AA-1042 / ABC Records AB-1042LP, Album, Stereo | LP, Album, Stereo |
| ? | US | ABC Records AA-1042 / ABC Records AB-1042LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo | LP, Album, Reissue, Stereo |
28 vinyl pressings of Live are listed here, from 16 countries.
The earliest pressings are from 1977, in Germany, US, UK, Argentina and more. One of them is Polydor 2344 085.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 2344 085, 2310 565, AA-1042, 9022-1042) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 2344 085 S1 320 AB 1A and 2344 085 S2 320 AA 1A. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
